Ailbhe Smyth (ailbhes): The message that has been sent out by the U.S. Supreme Court now is hugely detrimental to the progress that has been made on the rights of women and girls globally
Campaigner Ailbhe Smyth arrives at Dublin Castle May 26, 2018, as the results of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger.Smyth is an Irish activist and convener of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, a coalition of civil society groups who successfully campaigned to have Ireland's strict ban on abortion repealed.
The message that has been sent out by the U.S. Supreme Court now is that women’s freedoms do not matter, that they are to be swept aside. That is hugely detrimental to the progress that has been made on the rights of women and girls globally. Not only in countries which have been seen as slow to develop the rights of women and girls but even here in Europe, where, for example Poland, is edging towards an absolute ban on abortion.
I was so conscious during the Repeal campaign [to repeal the eight amendment, which led to Ireland legalizing abortion in 2018] that we were fighting to gain a freedom that was now in jeopardy in the U.S. It was an interesting and disturbing turnaround. I also wanted our campaign to be helpful for women in many other countries, here in Europe, but also the Philippines and many parts of Africa. Worldwide every win however small the country is really important.
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